Oral health in primary care: Integration of enhanced oral health education in a nurse practitioner residency program

Abstract

Access to oral health care is challenging, especially for vulnerable populations and those in rural and underserved areas. The purpose of this brief report is to discuss the implementation strategies of enhanced content in oral health educational materials and share results of acquisition of knowledge and confidence in oral health content by residents in a nurse practitioner residency program. The method included the use of 3 surveys of 34 questions administered at different time points measuring confidence levels and sustainability. Results showed the average level of confidence obtained in Posttest1 and in Posttest 2 after 6 months is greater than the pretest. The paired-sample t-test provides significant evidence of improving mean responses for Questions 10, 11, 16, and 32 in Posttest 1 (p-values: .04 each) and Questions 10, 17, 25, and 31 in Posttest2 (p-values: .04 each) compared with the pretest. In conclusion, the addition of enhanced oral health educational materials in our program resulted in improved knowledge and confidence in the residents to incorporate oral health care in their practices.

Dental and primary care professionals learning and collaborating to improve oral health

“…During the initial development of a Nurse Practitioner Residency (NPR) program, a gap related to oral health was identified. Consequently, the NPR director and dental hygiene faculty collaboratively developed enhanced oral health‐related curricula 4 . Dental hygiene faculty used the free access Oral Health Nursing Education and Practice program and its Smiles for Life 5 curricula as a framework for specific content in the curriculum.…”

“…Dental hygiene faculty used the free access Oral Health Nursing Education and Practice program and its Smiles for Life 5 curricula as a framework for specific content in the curriculum. Its open‐source modules were adapted for educational purposes in the program 4 …”

“…Consequently, the NPR director and dental hygiene faculty collaboratively developed enhanced oral health-related curricula. 4 Dental hygiene faculty used the free access Oral Health Nursing Education and Practice program and its Smiles for Life 5 curricula as a framework for specific content in the curriculum. Its open-source modules were adapted for educational purposes in the program.…”

“…Its open-source modules were adapted for educational purposes in the program. 4 Next, an observational clinical experience was added. After modules were completed, NP residents participated in a rotation in the University's dental hygiene clinic, partnering with dental hygiene students, faculty, and dentists.…”